A classic of Japanese history, this book is the preeminent work on the history of Japan.

Newly revised and updated, A History of Japan is a single-volume, comprehensive account of Japan's history. Starting in ancient Japan during its early pre-history period, A History of Japan covers every important aspect of history and culture through feudal Japan to the post-Cold War period and the collapse of the Bubble Economy in the early 1990s. Recent findings shed additional light on the origins of Japanese civilization and the birth of Japanese culture.

This book includes an in-depth analysis of Japanese religion, arts, culture, and people from the 6th century B.C.E. to the present. Classic illustrations and unique pictures are dispersed throughout the book, enhancing its exploration of Japan's rich history.

Fans of the FX series Shogun will appreciate the detailed historical context provided in this book, particularly the sections covering the feudal period that align with the time portrayed in the show. However, A History of Japan transcends the current interest in this era, offering a lasting resource for understanding Japan's broader historical and cultural development.

Highlights of A History of Japan include:

Archaic Japan including Yamato, the creation of a unified state, the Nana Period, and the Heian period
Medieval Japan including rule by the military houses, the failure of Ashikaga Rule, Buddhism, and the Kamakura and Muroachi Periods periods
Ealy Modern Japan including Japanese feudalism, administration under the Tokugawa, and society and culture in early modern Japan
Modern Japan including The Meiji Era and policies for modernization, from consensus to crisis (1912-1937), and solutions through force


This contemporary classic remains a central text in Japanese studies and a vital addition to the collection of any student or enthusiast of Japanese history, culture, or language.